Day 2: Philia, the Love of True Friends
Bible passage: John 13:34–35; Romans 12:9–13
The Love Between Friends
Today is Saturday 9th of April 2022. Welcome to Day 2 of our 7 Days of Prayer and Fasting. Yesterday we looked at romantic love. Today we turn to philia: the warm affection and loyalty of friendship.
Philia is the love of people who share a bond and a purpose. It has nothing to do with romance. It is the love of those who walk through life side by side.
Jesus and His Friends
He Called Them Friends
Jesus spent three years with twelve ordinary men. He ate with them, travelled with them and taught them. Near the end He told them that He no longer called them servants. He called them friends, because He had shared with them everything the Father had told Him (John 15:15).
Think about that. The Son of God wants friendship with His people, and He shows us what a true friend looks like.
A New Command
On the night before the cross, Jesus gave a new command: love one another as I have loved you. Then He explained what would happen if they obeyed. “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:35 (NLT)
The world is not persuaded mainly by our buildings, our music or our arguments. It is persuaded when it sees people who really love each other.
What Friendship Looks Like
Love Without Pretending
Paul describes this love in Romans 12:9–13. It is sincere and not put on. It delights to honour other people. It is glad when others are glad and patient when times are hard. It shares with those in need and opens its home.
That is a high standard, and none of us reaches it alone. This love grows as the Holy Spirit works in us.
Living It Out
Be the friend you would like to have. Do not wait to be noticed. Notice someone else.
Open your home. Invite someone for a meal this month, especially someone who is on their own.
Cross the room. On Sunday, speak to someone you do not know. Unity across our differences is a powerful witness.
Prayer Points for Today
Pray that we would have real, warm friendship for one another across our church family.
Pray that people outside the church would see our love in what we do, not only in what we say.
Pray for anyone who feels lonely or unloved, that God would reveal His love and bring them true friends.
Pray that every visitor who walks through our doors would sense that love straight away.
Prayer for Today:
Lord Jesus, thank You for calling me Your friend. Teach me to love others the way You have loved me. Take away pretence and selfishness. Make our church a place of true friendship, where nobody is left on the edge. Let our love for one another show our city that we belong to You. Amen.
Keep going
See every day of this guide on our Prayer & Fasting page.
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